'She was the most beautiful flower I will never forget': Oxford mourns Hana St. Juliana

Joe Guillen, Detroit Free Press
·2 min read
This remembrance card was handed out to those who came to Lakepoint Community Church in Oxford on December 8, 2021, to pay their respects to Hana St. Juliana who was one of four Oxford High School students shot and killed at the school on November 30, 2021.
This remembrance card was handed out to those who came to Lakepoint Community Church in Oxford on December 8, 2021, to pay their respects to Hana St. Juliana who was one of four Oxford High School students shot and killed at the school on November 30, 2021.

Hundreds gathered on Wednesday to honor and celebrate the life of 14-year-old Hana St. Juliana, one of four students killed last week in the Oxford High School shooting.

Hana's older sister, younger brother, friends and teachers spoke at her funeral, sharing intimate memories of spending time with Hana and describing what made her unique and special — her infectious laugh, her honesty, her kindheartedness and her biting wit and sarcastic sense of humor.

"All in all, we know Hana was an amazing kid," said Jessica Robbins, a teacher at Oxford High School who shared stories of her own and from other educators who knew Hana. "Her smile could light up a room. She will be forever missed and never forgotten."

Those who knew Hana said she radiated positivity and soaked up every moment to live life to its fullest.

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Oxford High School student Hana St. Juliana, 14, was one of four students killed by a fellow student during a school shooting on Nov. 30, 2021.
Oxford High School student Hana St. Juliana, 14, was one of four students killed by a fellow student during a school shooting on Nov. 30, 2021.

They described her limitless curiosity, which led to Hana pursuing all manner of interests, musical tastes and hobbies. She was known to be a strong athlete, competing on the volleyball and basketball teams.

They remembered her 10-hour Christmas music playlist, her perfectly painted nails, trips Up North and endless laughter.

As they spoke during the funeral, photos of Hana played in a loop on two monitors above the stage at LakePoint Community Church in Oxford Township. They showed her blowing bubblegum bubbles, doing cartwheels in the grass, being with her family and taking selfies with her friends.

The remembrance card passed out at her funeral showed Hana holding a purple bouquet of flowers. "Hana" means flower in Japanese, and she was the family's heart and soul, the card read.

"Whether that was making her own jewelry, wearing funny socks, or changing up her style of clothes, she would put her whole heart into it," the card read. "She was always paying attention to the smallest details of the people around her. Her favorite sports were swimming, volleyball, basketball and she always looked forward to playing lacrosse with her sister. She will be dearly missed."

Hana's family was not available for interviews, according to representatives of Lynch & Sons Funeral Directors in Oxford.

More: Family of Oxford High School shooting victim encourage acts of kindness in her name

People start to head into Lakepoint Community Church in Oxford on December 8, 2021, for the funeral of Hana St. Juliana who was one of four Oxford High School students shot and killed at the school on November 30, 2021.
People start to head into Lakepoint Community Church in Oxford on December 8, 2021, for the funeral of Hana St. Juliana who was one of four Oxford High School students shot and killed at the school on November 30, 2021.

After the ceremony, funeral attendees were asked to form a pathway from the church to the hearse, and to turn on their cellphone flashlights because Hana loved lights.

With bagpipes playing, Hana's casket was loaded into the hearse before it drove into the darkness, led by the Oakland County Sheriff's Office.

"She was the most beautiful flower I will never forget," Robbins said.

Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly made a reference to eating Chipotle.

Contact Joe Guillen: jguillen@freepress.com or 313-222-6678.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Oxford community mourns at funeral of Hana St. Juliana